2 December 2024, Tel Aviv, Israel, Steven Zimmerman – President-elect Donald Trump has said there will be consequences for Hamas if the terror group does not release all hostages before his inauguration.

Writing on Truth Social, Trump has said that there had been “all talk, no action” to free the hostages so far.

“If the hostages are not released prior to 20 January, 2025, the date that I proudly assume office as president of the United States, there will be all hell to pay in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against humanity,” Trump wrote.

“Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied history of the United States of America,” he added. “Release the hostages now.”

It is believed that Hamas still holds 97 of the 251 hostages taken during the terror attacks of 7 October 2024. These hostages have been in Gaza for 423 days. Hamas has also captured and is holding two Israeli civilians who entered Gaza in 2014 and 2015, as well as the bodies of two Israeli soldiers killed during “Operation Protective Edge” in 2014.

The statement from President-elect Trump, demanding the release of hostages, comes on the same day the IDF said that Israeli-American Omer Neutra, who served in the IDF, was killed on 7 October and that Hamas has kept his body in Gaza.

On Sunday, 1 December 2024, Trump met with Priminster Netanuahu’s older son, Yair, and the prime minister’s wife, Sara, at Mar-a-Lago.

President-elect Trump has indicated that he wants a ceasefire-for-hostage deal to be realized before he takes office. Today’s statement by Trump indicates that if Hamas fails to release the hostages, there will be consequences.

President Isaac Herzon has welcomed Trump’s message. “Thank you and bless you Mr. President-elect Donald Trump,” Herzon posted on X. “We all pray for the moment we see our sisters and brothers back home.”

Israeli President Isaac Herzog welcomed Trump’s message on Monday.

“Thank you and bless you Mr. President-elect Donald Trump,” Herzog wrote. “We all pray for the moment we see our sisters and brothers back home.”

Our family will be reunited soon.